With a refreshing departure from the tired multiverse antics, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” gives Marvel a much-needed jolt of energy and renewed promise in the post-“Endgame” era.
In the aftermath of a mass memory-erasing spell brought on after meddling with the multiverse in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Peter Parker (Tom Holland) spends his days alone in a world that no longer remembers him — including his best friend, Ned (Jacob Batalon), and former girlfriend, MJ (Zendaya).
Consumed by the consequences of his decision to keep his superhero identity secret, Peter lives in solitude glued to his multiscreen computer, talking to his AI assistant and stalking his friends — now recent college graduates — on social media.
Still, the action in “Brand New Day” begins almost instantaneously. While remaining withdrawn from the world around him, Peter pours his extra time into fighting crime, ensnaring criminals into massive webs for the New York City Police Department.
Thanks to Spidey’s efforts, crime in the city is at an all-time low and Spider-Man’s reputation has reached an all-time high.
The film quickly finds its footing as it makes a seamless jump four years ahead. No longer a high schooler, Peter is an adult, and the franchise evolves with him, taking a darker turn suited for a more mature Spider-Man.
For large chunks of the film, he battles the emotional weight of the sacrifice that comes with being a superhero. His friends move on in a bubble of blissful ignorance. He is a loner. And his identity as Peter Parker becomes increasingly entangled with his identity as Spider-Man.
Peter’s internal conflict casts a veil of angst and gloominess over the film, a tonal shift for a franchise that previously favored a more lighthearted, comedic approach.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man must confront a new bad guy — one he cannot even see. The veiled threat can telepathically possess everyday people, bouncing from one host to the next like a chain of falling dominoes and creating a nearly blind chase.
The telepathic menace weaponizes Peter’s still-raw trauma, sending his arachnid hormones into overdrive and triggering episodes of out-of-control strength and violence. Peter begins to fear he is becoming more Spider than Man.
For a welcome dose of comedic relief, Spider-Man turns to Frank Castle, aka The Punisher (Jon Bernthal), for assistance, briefly dipping into buddy-comedy territory with biting banter between the pair. A cameo from Black Widow (Florence Pugh) also lightens the heavier tone, as she consults with Peter on how to confront the puzzling threat.
The film represents a reset for Marvel — one hinted at in its title, “Brand New Day” — following a stretch of releases that struggled to impress audiences post-“Avengers: Endgame.”
Still, there are moments in “Brand New Day” that feel stale. More than two dozen Marvel superhero films have arrived in the last decade, making it harder to stray from the established blueprint, resulting in waves of superhero fatigue.
“Brand New Day” likely won’t be enough to cure superhero burnout, but it is Marvel’s strongest effort in recent years, preserving the “Spider-Man” franchise’s solid reputation while pointing the studio in the right direction.
When does ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ come out?
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” premieres in theaters on Friday, July 31. It is rated PG-13 for action, violence and some language.